Saint of the Week: Hugh of Lincoln
11/19/2025
Hugh of Lincoln
1140 - 1200
Bishop, Protector of the Oppressed
Hugh was born into a noble French family in Avolon, Burgundy. His mother died when he was eight years old, and his father then entered a monastic community. Hugh entered monastic life himself at age 15. In 1159, Hugh transferred from the Benedictine order to the more austere Carthusian order, eventually becoming procurator of its major house, the Grande Chartreuse. Meanwhile, feeling remorse for his role in Archbishop Thomas a Becket’s murder, King Henry II founded the first Carthusian house in England at Witham, Somerset. When difficulties arose with its first two priors, a French noble recommended Hugh who by then had been procurator of the mother house for over a decade. Arriving in 1176, Hugh found that monastery construction not yet begun. Nor had compensation been paid to those who lost property to make it happen. Hugh refused to take office until these persons had been paid "to the last penny." He intervened on the builders’ behalf, too, since their pay had not been forthcoming. Only then did Hugh accept the King’s invitation to be prior of this new Carthusian foundation in England. With even greater hesitation, Hugh accepted Henry II’s 1186 appointment to the See of Lincoln. As its bishop, Hugh continued to live according to the strict discipline of his order. Indeed, his humility and tact, utter lack of self-regard, and cheerful disposition made it difficult for anyone to oppose him. Common folk loved him for his unrelenting care of the poor and oppressed. Hugh improved education in the cathedral school, served as a diplomat in sensitive political negotiations, and protected Jews within his diocese from persecution throughout the 3rd Crusade. Steadfastly independent of secular influence, he was not afraid to rebuke his king for unjustly treating royal subjects. Hugh also refused to raise money for King Richard’s foreign wars. Even so, Richard “the Lion Hearted” said of him, “If all bishops were like my Lord of Lincoln, not a prince among us could lift his head against them.” Hugh died in London on November 16, 1200, and is buried in Lincoln Cathedral, the structure for which he laid the initial foundation. Hugh is celebrated on November 17.
Holy God, who endowed your servant Hugh of Lincoln with wise and cheerful boldness, and taught him to commend the discipline of holy life to kings and princes: Grant that we also, rejoicing in the Good News of your mercy, and fearing nothing but the loss of you, may be bold to speak the truth in love, in the name of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
